Hey Jack. I'm a USTA computer rated 4.5. I hit with the 99S today using 16g Pacific Tough Gut in the mains and 16g 4G in the crosses strung at 58/52. Today was the first day I was able to hit/drill with another 4.5 player. (I hit briefly earlier in the week with a 3.5 in windy conditions and the 99s was strung with full Wilson Enduro (?) at an unknown tension. The racket played squishy, which I didn't like at all). I thought this gut/poly string setup had great control and good power. I didn't find the 99s to be a rocket launcher at all, though I'm not a player who normally blasts away.

My main stick is the somewhat older Wilson 6.1 BLX (the red/blackish 12+ oz one), which I've played with for at least a couple of years now.

I had no trouble adjusting to the 99s. The gut/poly strings made a huge difference over the full Enduro. However, after just one hit, I don't know how long they'll hold tension or last. I'm not normally a string breaker (I don't hit with a lot of extreme spin). I haven't looked closely at the strings since my hitting session, but I'm thinking of putting in some string savers to try to extend the life of the strings.

I didn't actually get a lot of extra spin on groundstrokes that I noticed, but I did on spin serves. My hitting partner didn't notice that I wasn't using my normal racket (I didn't tell him and apparently he didn't notice). He said I was getting great action on my serves and asked what strings I was using (thinking the strings were giving me the extra action). Volleys were surprisingly good.

Overall, I found the 99s is easier to play with than my 6.1 BLX, though it doesn't quite have the solid feel of the 6.1 BLX. I need more time with the 99s, but it could be a game improvement racket for me, if it doesn't eat the gut/poly strings too quickly and if I can actually use the poly in crosses without having arm issues. (I normally string my BLX with gut/syn gut).

I'll be playing some pretty competitive doubles on Sunday, which should be a good test for me with the 99s.

I kinda rambled, but I hope the little bit of feedback on the gut/poly string setup is helpful.

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Thanks for all that useful info! Please report back how the gut/poly holds up.

I was hitting with it a little today, it pockets real nice. I still did not get a good workout since I had to run some drills with the kids and such. The string did move a bit, but not too bad. I had waxed the gut when I was stringing, it helps a lot. I use some left over Global Natural gut I had laying around, so I'm not too concerned with it breaking ($10 a set). Also it's more like 15G (1.35-1.40) because of it's unevenness. Though I did have trouble tying off the last cross at T7, so I tied off at T11.

As for High Launch angles, as long as you know it's possible, it's easy to adjust. I naturally hit the ball low, so it suits my swing.

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15g strings were still moving around (did not completely snap back) at 65lbs?

This why I cannot understand how people are playing with tensions in the 50s.

I've been playing with this a bit. Two demo stints for a total of six competitive singles sets and 3 competitive doubles sets plus normal hitting sessions.

Probably against the general opinion here but I am actually liking the frame more than the string pattern if that makes sense. Feels nice in the hand, swings easy, feels solid at its weight. I am considering trying out the non-S 99 now as the 16x18 might be just the ticket. Somewhere between the 99S and a Blade.

I've been playing with this a bit. Two demo stints for a total of six competitive singles sets and 3 competitive doubles sets plus normal hitting sessions.

Probably against the general opinion here but I am actually liking the frame more than the string pattern if that makes sense. Feels nice in the hand, swings easy, feels solid at its weight. I am considering trying out the non-S 99 now as the 16x18 might be just the ticket. Somewhere between the 99S and a Blade.

pretty different to be honest in play but in hand, not dissimilar. Blade is a flat hitting confidence inspiring racket to me especially on attack although uncomfortable to me. Defense is decent but not as good as it is in attack. Found the 99S to be the opposite so far, decent rallying/defensive shots but not great for me attack wise certainly confidence wise (or not in fact) in hitting winners. I can say that about most open rackets I have tried though not just the 99S. I remember this being my only real complaint about the Warrior 100. Trying to find a happy medium. So far, Blade is a racket to go for winners, 99S to work the point. All styles are different though, that is just my experience. Also depends on the day, if I am on form, I want a Blade like racket. If not, a Warrior/99S class.

I've been playing with this a bit. Two demo stints for a total of six competitive singles sets and 3 competitive doubles sets plus normal hitting sessions.

Probably against the general opinion here but I am actually liking the frame more than the string pattern if that makes sense. Feels nice in the hand, swings easy, feels solid at its weight. I am considering trying out the non-S 99 now as the 16x18 might be just the ticket. Somewhere between the 99S and a Blade.

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I tried starting a thread earlier about the regular Steam 99(non S). Please post your thoughts if you get a chance to try it out. I was interested in comparing the non S Steam to the new Blade 16X19

Anyone else having a really tough time getting kick serves to really kick? Going in I thought this thing would be epic at spin serves and kickers and sloppily weird at heaters, and to my surprise it's been the opposite - the heaters are easily cracked and surprisingly accurate, spin serves are decent but not wild... But the kickers are doing almost nothing off the bounce. My only big gripe so far.

Otherwise, Been demoing this frame and like it a lot. Everything's just easy so far, the swing, the depth. I can rally all day long and believe this to be a grinder's dream stick, more so than a put-away killer of the ball. Superb tweener stick.

Well, it's more difficult than what I'm used to, which are more driving sticks with tighter patterns and more heft, which plow through the ball and court more easily. The Steam is a different beast for me. The ball tends to sail slower - but often longer - through the air, so the ball flight gives it depth but the pace isn't screaming. Result, very often then, is that the opponent gets to the ball but then has to deal with a short hop and sometimes a very tricky bounce.

That's why I say it's more of a grinder's stick. The ball flies faster and more directly off of my other frames, so I get more winners. They're also heavier and tighter in pattern, so if I miss, I miss short. With the Steam, I miss long when I miss. But not launching the ball as often as I thought I would. And I CAN flatten the ball out with the Steam, but not as easily and still not as 'heavily' as what I'm used to.

With the Steam I feel like David Ferrer. I'm going to get everything back and move you and spin you to death, grind you down and either let you make the mistake or ill hit a winner when I open up the right angle after a few shots. With my Radicals I'm playing a bit more 'first-strike' tennis, more winners, probably more unforced errors into the tape.

Either can win matches. Thus far my other sticks feel more satisfying but the Steam demo has been doing nothing but winning points since I got it.

Well, it's more difficult than what I'm used to, which are more driving sticks with tighter patterns and more heft, which plow through the ball and court more easily. The Steam is a different beast for me. The ball tends to sail slower - but often longer - through the air, so the ball flight gives it depth but the pace isn't screaming. Result, very often then, is that the opponent gets to the ball but then has to deal with a short hop and sometimes a very tricky bounce.

That's why I say it's more of a grinder's stick. The ball flies faster and more directly off of my other frames, so I get more winners. They're also heavier and tighter in pattern, so if I miss, I miss short. With the Steam, I miss long when I miss. But not launching the ball as often as I thought I would. And I CAN flatten the ball out with the Steam, but not as easily and still not as 'heavily' as what I'm used to.

With the Steam I feel like David Ferrer. I'm going to get everything back and move you and spin you to death, grind you down and either let you make the mistake or ill hit a winner when I open up the right angle after a few shots. With my Radicals I'm playing a bit more 'first-strike' tennis, more winners, probably more unforced errors into the tape.

Either can win matches. Thus far my other sticks feel more satisfying but the Steam demo has been doing nothing but winning points since I got it.

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Oh dear, I agree with you Gads, especially on the evidence of 1 set I played yesterday. Frankly, it's a bit of a worry because the above so puts me in mind of my experiences of toiling away with the Exo 100. Took me maybe a month to realize that frame and me didn't match up. Hope this isn't the same scenario.

Just an FYI since I use the 105s instead of the 99s, but the Kirschbaum Pro Line II has been working really well for me. And after 1 hour of a lesson last night hitting a lot of balls, then 3hrs+ play today (2 sets of singles, 2 sets of doubles) there is a little notching, but not anything compared to the Dunlop Black Widow I had tried.

Feel was very soft, decent control, good power, and good pace and spin on serves.

Just an FYI since I use the 105s instead of the 99s, but the Kirschbaum Pro Line II has been working really well for me. And after 1 hour of a lesson last night hitting a lot of balls, then 3hrs+ play today (2 sets of singles, 2 sets of doubles) there is a little notching, but not anything compared to the Dunlop Black Widow I had tried.

Feel was very soft, decent control, good power, and good pace and spin on serves.

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Thanks, I have one of each frame and like this feedback, much appreciated. I am considering Kirschbaum Super Smash 16 since TW has them at 4 pack for only $16.....at $4 a pack it might be worth the try, any experience with that line from K?

Thanks, I have one of each frame and like this feedback, much appreciated. I am considering Kirschbaum Super Smash 16 since TW has them at 4 pack for only $16.....at $4 a pack it might be worth the try, any experience with that line from K?

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No, not me... only the Spiky Shark and Pro Line II. I saw the Kirschbaum Basic Poly reel was only $59 too... but I haven't tried that either.

Bought, David. I'm playing Monday at least, so should be able to gauge what we're talking about a bit better.

Do wonder if Gads is right though.

For me, at the beginning, you're kind of swayed by the tweener edging towards player stick vibe. The fairly wide range of undoubted attributes, incl. the really easy swinging, relative solidness, raking depth, and knowledge that something a bit different (can't quite say what) is happening spin-wise.

My first negative thought was it actually isn't so solid as maybe I'm now wanting. Followed by I'm not quite getting the response I want on g/strokes. Followed by why am I getting picked off so much?

If you throw in the PITA hassles re stringing, ah... it maybe doesn't look so rosy eh?

Anyhow, will see Monday quite how much this is warranted. Could well be over-reaction on my part. For half the match on Friday I was much more "on it."

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Ross you need to judge a new racket over the course of a couple weeks. You can't blame every little up-and-down on the racket. Is your game that steady to where you can really judge if it's the racket or if its you if you have a bad set or bad day with it? Take all these little judgments and thoughts out of the equation and just play with it for a little while and see how you do on court. Let the on court results speak for themselves otherwise you can drive yourself crazy trying to come to conclusions after every day out there with the new racket.

Ross you need to judge a new racket over the course of a couple weeks. You can't blame every little up-and-down on the racket. Is your game that steady to where you can really judge if it's the racket or if its you if you have a bad set or bad day with it? Take all these little judgments and thoughts out of the equation and just play with it for a little while and see how you do on court. Let the on court results speak for themselves otherwise you can drive yourself crazy trying to come to conclusions after every day out there with the new racket.

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I had a feeling you might chime in here, Jack. :wink:

I completely agree with you - which is why I've been at pains to emphasize on virtually every post that I need more playing time to get a properly informed POV.

That said, to a degree, when you're a confirmed racketaholic of many years standing haha (as many of us are, for our ills), and have some experience-based understanding and 'nose' for gauging this stuff, you can begin to formulate some ideas... to a degree.

Anyhow, at the end of the day, all we (Gads, David and me, in the instance you refer to; others throughout the thread obviously) are doing is enthusiastically debating and sharing our findings on this intriguing frame as it evolves... isn't that what the thread is kind of about?

Got to hit with the 99S again, because one of the guys i play doubles with rented it after i suggested they should. Well, the strings were finally broke in and softer, so the racket played a tad less harsh. But also with lower tension my best attempts at big spin made the ball just barely go out. My serve I noticed bounced a little higher, yet didn't have the driving power i normally have. Which, I am counting as a huge negative. I agree with JGads, who said this is a grinders stick. I realize I would have to change my mindset and game to a more non winner hitting game and just grind to win.
This came to me when I picked up my trusty microgel mp with some lead around the head and took a semi fast serve and took a very fast swing and whacked the ball! Thinking, if i had the 99S in my hand, that would have hit the back of the bubble! And then, happy i found my super fast swing speed(instead of trying to make controlled spin), I just cracked away at balls for the final minutes there.
I know making less errors I would ultimately become a better player if i got a 99s and became more of a grinder. But then also realized how fun it is to blast 80mph forehands for winners is! My racket, even though most would call a "control racket", is the most powerful racket i have ever used, because i can swing it far faster than any other frame and it will go in(at least, most of the time). So, for now, and again, hoping like others they make something more thin beamed, gonna keep cracking the ball with my microgel and go for slighty safer targets.

you can definitely form an opinion after a few sets of competitive play and least to the point where you can also tell if a particular racket still needs more adjustment time to make a decision and if it has qualities to make you want to further dial it in.

In my case, I have a pretty short demo cycle because I know that just hitting with a racket is totally inconclusive especially as rackets I love hitting with are not always rackets I am effective with results wise. For example, I love hitting the IG Prestige Mid but i cannot use it effectively in a match (more accomplished players can of course). On the other hand, I am very effective results wise with the Blade BLX (and MG Rad) but don't actually enjoy hitting with it much and it is harsh on the arm.

Best routine for me is competitive singles against both a crafty style players and a big hitter but it must be a real match not a knock-up plus ideally competitive doubles but that is a bonus as i prioritise singles.

In truth, i have been on a pretty strong run of results with various rackets in hand but for big games, I keep going back to the MG Rad or IG Rad OS. The minute they are over, I want to play with something else like the PB 10 Mids I have incoming.

I really like the 99S in hand and it has some great qualities but some I don't like also. Two demo stints, one with a Blacked out version with a Sonic Pro/Addiction hybrid and then the current one with a full bed of poly. I think the non-S 99 might be a better candidate for me but still a fun racket.

Thanks, I have one of each frame and like this feedback, much appreciated. I am considering Kirschbaum Super Smash 16 since TW has them at 4 pack for only $16.....at $4 a pack it might be worth the try, any experience with that line from K?

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Which is your preference Racer? If you had a 'must win' match, which would you take with you if you could only have one?

Which is your preference Racer? If you had a 'must win' match, which would you take with you if you could only have one?

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Don't know yet, weather has sucked and we don't do much indoor here.....so I have not hit either since they got here. Just a long weekend demo session in December with both. Our season really cranks up in mid February, good or bad in terms of weather. Based on just the demo I lean towards the 105 for a must win doubles match and plan on just the 105 for doubles right now.

I sold the rest of my frames on the bay as I had way too many and don't like collecting them if I can get $ for them online.......so right now my bag only has the 105s and 99s. I am thinking of adding the Organix 7 (295) just in case I really need a light/defensive racquet. I am worried that it will be difficult to play a blocking and defensive doubles game with the S frames. The other reason to add another 16x19 is if I have string issues in a long match.

I'll for sure post more in a couple of weeks when I get to spend lots of time with each.

I have three days of hitting. Day one was outside in 45 degrees with fresh strings with a ball machine. I was consistently getting good depth and was quite impressed with the spin. I was swinging freely and had a number of shots that looked like they were going long stay in. I had bounces that were quite impressive. I figured that I would be buying one at this point.

Day two was indoors, 65 degrees and doubles. I found that if I swung as hard as the day before I was sending things a bit long. It could be because of the temperature difference, that I wasn't getting set up as well or that I was just having an off day. Racquettune said tension had only dropped about 2 lbs. Whatever it was I found I was I no longer had full confidence and was not taking full swings on my forehands. This lowered my racquet head speed and spin. Backhands were still pretty good. Volleys were average - I prefer a hefty racquet. After an hour I pulled out the EXO3 Rebel 95 I was demoing and felt more at home. I was able to swing harder and I enjoyed the weight at the net and felt more confident.

Day three was outside. Started at around 45 degrees, dropped to 38 during the session. I did drills with targets and found that when I missed the target with the 99s I was more often long. With my Diablo mid I was more often short. When it warms up I find depth easy to come by with my Diablo and I fear that I would be long a lot with the 99s.

I still have it for another few days and will continue to hit with it to see if I can figure it out better.

I think the 99s is a really good tweener. It does indeed have more spin. It feels solid on contact and not hollow and cheap. The balance and swingweight were pretty good out of the box. I like the new grip that came on it.

BUT... it is still a tweener and I'm not a tweener kind of guy. I'm more of a 12oz+, 95 or less kind of guy. I hit with the Six.One 95 16x18 yesterday and liked that a lot. I would like to see a Six.One 95S 16x15. That I would probably buy. Rumors are that they will be expanding the S to more racquets for next year, and that Prince is coming out with open patterned grommeted racquets this summer. I will wait until a more players weighted and sized open pattern racquet comes out.

I played the latter a bit just prior to entering the steam room and actually think they aren't so very apart. Certainly in the general traits, particular flex, feel too, as I think one of the TT testers said in the reviews.

I may try and do a side-by-side comparison, although I'd definitely lead up the J - something I did in reverse previously (ie, I began with lead experiments but opted in the end to play it stock. A mistake I think in retrospect.)

I played the latter a bit just prior to entering the steam room and actually think they aren't so very apart. Certainly in the general traits, particular flex, feel too, as I think one of the TT testers said in the reviews.

I may try and do a side-by-side comparison, although I'd definitely lead up the J - something I did in reverse previously (ie, I began with lead experiments but opted in the end to play it stock. A mistake I think in retrospect.)

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They are pretty similar. Power is about the same. The 99s feels more solid to me with a more pleasing feel on impact. The Juice is more headlite and whippier. IMO, I don't think the Juice is better than the 99s in any areas.

They are pretty similar. Power is about the same. The 99s feels more solid to me with a more pleasing feel on impact. The Juice is more headlite and whippier. IMO, I don't think the Juice is better than the 99s in any areas.

I completely agree with you - which is why I've been at pains to emphasize on virtually every post that I need more playing time to get a properly informed POV.

That said, to a degree, when you're a confirmed racketaholic of many years standing haha (as many of us are, for our ills), and have some experience-based understanding and 'nose' for gauging this stuff, you can begin to formulate some ideas... to a degree.

Anyhow, at the end of the day, all we (Gads, David and me, in the instance you refer to; others throughout the thread obviously) are doing is enthusiastically debating and sharing our findings on this intriguing frame as it evolves... isn't that what the thread is kind of about?

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I have to tell myself the same thing. Sometimes it hard to distinguish between the natural ups and downs of your game vs the ups and downs of the racquet. If you just focus on results over a decent span of time, then you can make a more rational decision.

my update on the 99S tonight against a similar level opponent in singles is as follows (indoor, hardcourt). The result was much closer than usual (still a win). So here is how it went:

Serves were very consistent but not especially damaging to my opponent but got the point start on the front foot so no problem there. I don't get many clean aces anyway but often get a fair few service winners (errors on return or weak returns). A lot less tonight but i was more consistent.

Volleys were really good but I didn't need anything more complex than steering angled volleys into space. That said, they were all solid and fine.

Backhand slice was actually very good, driving slice.

Touch and dropshots were 50:50 by results but promising. Nothing was run down actually, it was either a net clip or a winner. I have been known to land my drop shots near the baseline with my Rad OS so quite pleased!

So, here is the big one for me, Groundstrokes.

Baseline grinding is definitely good and it does have that Exo3 Tour 'work the point' thing going but that is not all it has. I could actually hit some very nice forcing shots with angles and for the first time, I tried using the topspin itself to cause trouble and whilst they were being run down, the return was often an 'opportunity' ball so not too bad.

Standard puttaways were nice, I spent most of tonight rallying at my opponents forehand (his better shot), pulling him of the court then driving a shot into the backhand gap. However, the stellar exciting winners you can hit with the PMP or Blade from the baseline weren't there for me except the tight angle to forehand but that is a low percentage shot. The spin took the pace off a fair bit. Consistent though but more shots were coming back. On the flip side, I actually did notice some shots which surprised me that they weren't long or wide.

What went badly:

- I felt I could be drawn into giving a short ball on my 2hbh.
- Forehand returns for whatever reason were functional rather than a weapon (one of my best shots is a forehand return dtl both sides).
- Regardless of the above positives and higher consistency, the match was close. Where did his points come from? A higher number of short balls from me than usual that were put away.

The other thing was there were definitely shots that could have been attacked by a better opponent and I was looking for these especially on shots that my Friday opponent would have picked off.

One of the main changes tonight was I hit with a higher trajectory quite successfully (compared to previous outtings with the 99S) which is needed because my standard shot was bouncing on the service line. As I started landing near the baseline, I could tell they were 'awkward' for my opponent.

My first match with the 99S was today, actually, my first match in 4 months since I've been rehabbing a torn calf.

The biggest thing I found was just to play my normal game. If I took "normal" swings and didn't try to over emphasize topspin production, the racquet really helped and I actually got more spin. If I tried to overdo it, it didn't work out that well .

The racquet was solid on everything, serves were much better, service returns were solid and had great pace on them, volleys were so good I felt like I couldn't miss and with an all poly string job, that's saying something! Groundstrokes were great as well, more pace then with other frames, more spin, great direction.

I had two frames, one strung with Lux Ace 18 and one strung with Wilson Spin Cycle 16L. I hit two balls with the Ace and put it back in the bag. The Wilson Spin Cycle is an awesome string, felt great, very comfortable and was just plain solid on everything. For $8.95, it's a great option for me. I am going to cut out the Ace and restring with 4G and will report back, but I was really impressed with Spin Cycle.

I've noticed the same with this frame. I have wicked confidence serving with it. Now, I am not sure i hit as much pace as I could with my old frame which was much heavier, but I pretty much feel as though I will almost never DF with this 99S even when going for it. That is a great feeling to have.

String wear continues to be an issue, but I'm not concerned much about it anymore as I've just resigned myself to the fact that ill have to string a frame after maybe 10 sets (which could even be a stretch due to the pretty severe notching that occurs.). Straight hitting and rallying obviously wears things out more quickly.

I have to tell myself the same thing. Sometimes it hard to distinguish between the natural ups and downs of your game vs the ups and downs of the racquet. If you just focus on results over a decent span of time, then you can make a more rational decision.

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Yes for sure......we can't judge a frame/string combo based on a set or two. I'm finding that I like this frame more and more the longer I play with it. I can definitely see improvement and familiarity building.

Serves are surprisingly great with the frame. Volleys are EXCELLENT. And key is to NOT alter your swing. Honestly, even though this is a tweener, the stroke needs to be a solid, full stroke with full finish. If so, you will be rewarded.

It has its flaws and its quirks and its limitations, but I really dig this stick and how easy it is to play with.

Biggest problem is string life. One of my two demo frames popped today (full 4G that was freshly strung). Stringbed had 3-4 hours on it, I think. A 15 gauge string will become a must, I think, for a big hitter.

it is definitely a rare racket where I am willing to give it more time than usual to see what transpires. i do like 16x18 as a pattern actually but i did noticed I had zero flyers with the 99S yesterday. biggest concern is when my racket head speed drops (which happens in matches at some point), am i leaving nice bouncy shots for my opponent to tee off on.

on the plus side, it is a pretty cheap racket in UK (£110 vs. £150+ of the Speed Graphene, APD etc).

My first match with the 99S was today, actually, my first match in 4 months since I've been rehabbing a torn calf.

The biggest thing I found was just to play my normal game. If I took "normal" swings and didn't try to over emphasize topspin production, the racquet really helped and I actually got more spin. If I tried to overdo it, it didn't work out that well .

The racquet was solid on everything, serves were much better, service returns were solid and had great pace on them, volleys were so good I felt like I couldn't miss and with an all poly string job, that's saying something! Groundstrokes were great as well, more pace then with other frames, more spin, great direction.

I had two frames, one strung with Lux Ace 18 and one strung with Wilson Spin Cycle 16L. I hit two balls with the Ace and put it back in the bag. The Wilson Spin Cycle is an awesome string, felt great, very comfortable and was just plain solid on everything. For $8.95, it's a great option for me. I am going to cut out the Ace and restring with 4G and will report back, but I was really impressed with Spin Cycle.

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This is exactly my experience with the racket. I've literally not altered my strokes and I think I'm getting the best I can out of the frame.
This frame definitely polarises opinions and is better suited to some than others.
For me it's a hit.

I think some on this thread are giving this racquet too much credit for influencing the outcome of their matches. If you put the proper swing on the ball and hit near the middle, the ball will do what you want. Just like it would with any other similar racquet. You cannot change or alter your natural stroke or you will not get good results. The ONLY thing you need to take into account, is the higher launch angle and just aim lower... That's it!. Anyone that can play with a APD, Pure Drive, Juice 100, Vcore 100, etc. should have no problem adjusting to the 99s at all. But if it doesn't work for you, don't blame the pattern. The 99s is supposed to add topspin to your game and nothing more. Ifs not a magic want that will take your from a 3.5 to a 4.5. It just gives you a little more spin. That's a good thing!

This is exactly my experience with the racket. I've literally not altered my strokes and I think I'm getting the best I can out of the frame.
This frame definitely polarises opinions and is better suited to some than others.
For me it's a hit.

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I agree 100%. I arrived early yesterday and started warming up with one of the guys I was playing with. He and I have played together for 7 or 8 years. He immediately noticed more spin and action on the ball. I started trying to put more spin on the ball and that is where I found my error.

I have a fairly level swing, use more wrist than I should on my forehand, but generate a fair amount of top on that side.

As comfortable as I am with the frame, more time can only improve my play. For a first outing in 4 months, I think I acquitted myself very well.

Disagree Jack, the string pattern is important because aiming higher or lower on your trajectory in most cases is altering your swing. It is not the same swing but aim lower, it is different. I am not talking about altering a swing to exaggerate spin or not. A lot of people believe the 16x15 to be a game changer (for better or worse) but at the least, significantly different. You may not which is cool but others do. My natural stroke bounces much earlier in the court. Aiming higher needs adjustment to get it right. Fine on run of the mill shots but in the heat of battle...

In my case, a higher or lower natural target point on every shot is a significant change. Maybe not standing against a ball machine or rebound net where you know the pace and movement but in fast moving singles, under pressure against good players, out of your strike zone, "just aim lower" doesn't do it for me. It needs an adjustment. Maybe a worthwhile adjustment, not sure yet, but definitely not as simple as you make it sound.

The list of rackets you have just stated are the same class but different rackets. Vcore 100 is not like the APD or the Warrior. Clearly not alien but they are different if marginal in some cases. Otherwise you might still be with the Warrior or the rackets you tried before that.

99S is interesting however, it needs more adjustment than just aim lower. I actually think the string bed needs more credit not less if you have played with it in matches without adjustment (attempting to do so is a different matter of course).

Disagree Jack, the string pattern is important because aiming higher or lower on your trajectory in most cases is altering your swing. It is not the same swing but aim lower, it is different. I am not talking about altering a swing to exaggerate spin or not. A lot of people believe the 16x15 to be a game changer (for better or worse) but at the least, significantly different. You may not which is cool but others do. My natural stroke bounces much earlier in the court. Aiming higher needs adjustment to get it right. Fine on run of the mill shots but in the heat of battle...

In my case, a higher or lower natural target point on every shot is a significant change. Maybe not standing against a ball machine or rebound net where you know the pace and movement but in fast moving singles, under pressure against good players, out of your strike zone, "just aim lower" doesn't do it for me. It needs an adjustment. Maybe a worthwhile adjustment, not sure yet, but definitely not as simple as you make it sound.

The list of rackets you have just stated are the same class but different rackets. Vcore 100 is not like the APD or the Warrior. Clearly not alien but they are different if marginal in some cases. Otherwise you might still be with the Warrior or the rackets you tried before that.

99S is interesting however, it needs more adjustment than just aim lower. I actually think the string bed needs more credit not less if you have played with it in matches without adjustment (attempting to do so is a different matter of course).

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David....appreciate your opinion for sure.

I suspect though that you are tightening up in matches or in the "heat of the battle" as you say and not swinging relaxed like you do in casual rallying. The trick with the 99s I feel is to play relaxed as you would when the results don't matter. I know this is true of any racquet, but moreso I think with the S or any high powered tweener.

As far as "altering your swing" for a higher or lower aim point, that's something we all have to do with every racquet depending on what "target" on the court we are shooting for at any given time. My point is that you shouldn't need to do anything different within your own game to succesfully play with the S. If you do, then it's not for you...plain and simple. I was able to adjust to it very quickly, so I guess I have the kind of game it works with? I had to do the same thing when I started using the Speed 315 and Extreme MP. The very round headshapes of those racquets produced a higher than normal ball trajectory and I adjusted within a few days and it wasn't an issue after that.

I thnk think the conclusion is that different people will be effected more or less by the 16x15 pattern, depending on their strokes. Some will see a minor change with little adjustment needed and some will see a major change, with a large adjustment needed.

I think some on this thread are giving this racquet too much credit for influencing the outcome of their matches. If you put the proper swing on the ball and hit near the middle, the ball will do what you want. Just like it would with any other similar racquet. You cannot change or alter your natural stroke or you will not get good results. The ONLY thing you need to take into account, is the higher launch angle and just aim lower... That's it!. Anyone that can play with a APD, Pure Drive, Juice 100, Vcore 100, etc. should have no problem adjusting to the 99s at all. But if it doesn't work for you, don't blame the pattern. The 99s is supposed to add topspin to your game and nothing more. Ifs not a magic want that will take your from a 3.5 to a 4.5. It just gives you a little more spin. That's a good thing!

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?????

I change my storkes depending on racket I'm playing with - how can you not?

The ball just doesn't come off the same way - some rackets send the ball higher and deeper, some flatter and shorter, some have more power, some have less, some are light, some are heavy. Some rackets let me flatten out and drive hard low balls, some require a lot of brush-up to keep the ball in, with some rackets I can do both etc.. - the swing has to be adjusted accordingly.

I agree Anton, I cannot see how you cannot adjust your stroke (power, trajectory etc). Just trying to find the will to respond to Jack's response but I think it might be better that I don't. I think I will just leave it that the last sentence in his post 1599 is something we can agree on.

This frame definitely polarises opinions and is better suited to some than others.

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Stupidly obvious, but indeed worth repeating perhaps?

I think some on this thread are giving this racquet too much credit for influencing the outcome of their matches. If you put the proper swing on the ball and hit near the middle, the ball will do what you want. Just like it would with any other similar racquet. You cannot change or alter your natural stroke or you will not get good results. The ONLY thing you need to take into account, is the higher launch angle and just aim lower... That's it!. Anyone that can play with a APD, Pure Drive, Juice 100, Vcore 100, etc. should have no problem adjusting to the 99s at all. But if it doesn't work for you, don't blame the pattern. The 99s is supposed to add topspin to your game and nothing more. Ifs not a magic want that will take your from a 3.5 to a 4.5. It just gives you a little more spin. That's a good thing!

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Can't say I entirely agree. This frame is rather unique IMO.

?????

I change my storkes depending on racket I'm playing with - how can you not?

The ball just doesn't come off the same way - some rackets send the ball higher and deeper, some flatter and shorter, some have more power, some have less, some are light, some are heavy. Some rackets let me flatten out and drive hard low balls, some require a lot of brush-up to keep the ball in, with some rackets I can do both etc.. - the swing has to be adjusted accordingly.

Well, unfortunately I hit several home runs with this racquet and I have come to the conclusion that it's not for me. I have flat strokes and that's not going to change any time soon. The thin string and the low tension didn't help my cause much either. At this point I have concluded that sticking with the PB10 mid is best for my game and I have reels of 18 and 19 Gauge strings that I don't want to spend more money on thicker strings to experiment with this racquet.